The privilege to drive is a great symbol of freedom and independence—starting from the moment a teenager is granted their learner’s permit, and continuing through to an older individual being able to drive themselves to doctor’s appointments. When a neurocognitive disorder affects changes in the brain, though, the risk of driving may outweigh the privilege to drive. This post is designed to help provide information and resources regarding making decisions on whether or not to continue ...

When it comes to strengthening and caring for our brains, a common term is “cognitive reserve.” Our cognitive reserve gives us a little bit of cushion for when we age and our brains naturally slow down. It can be compared to a squirrel who saves up all the acorns he can for when winter comes around and food is scarce. Building a cognitive reserve is one way to protect against cognitive decline.

With the beginning of the holiday season just a couple days away, the staff at A Wiser Mind would like to offer a wish of happiness and health to everyone, no matter which holiday you celebrate.

While the holiday season is about spending time with the people you love, these next few weeks can be hard for those without a strong, supportive network of family and friends. One thing to be thankful for, though, are the senior services that are available throughout Denver and the surrounding areas. Senior centers and rec centers throughout Colorado offer many opportunities for the senior population to get active, both physically and socially, within their communities. Many of these centers provide daily exercises classes, art classes, social clubs, and even lunch and meal services. These centers are great for busting the winter blues and staying active when it’s cold outside.

For someone living with dementia, news programs or articles can be confusing and a source of stress, especially when it involves a major crisis. News of the recent Ebola outbreaks, which have made their way to the United States, have caused distress for even the most present thinkers.

With dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), our executive functioning is impacted. This means we may face a decline in our ability to recognize time and space, our ability to reason, and our ability to retain and recall details.

Each year, October 10th is designated as World Mental Health Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage action. And while 2014’s theme was focused on schizophrenia, our focus on dementia and Alzheimer’s never ends.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are agonizing diseases; not only for the person diagnosed, but also for friends, family, and loved ones. And while each person experiences the disease in different ways, a universal norm is that that life can be significantly altered for everyone involved.

Whether you are the patient or the loved one, you should never feel embarrassed of the impact of Alzheimer’s on your life. If you are struggling, know you are not alone. These stories that we’ve discovered might give you the confidence you need to open up or reach out.

Most of us are familiar with the—too much…too little…just right—story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Something similar happens inside the brains, and around the lives, of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a disease not of just one person, but a condition that affects the entire family. There may be hard times and challenges, but with some small changes you can add quality to this time of life and make new, special memories that you might not have thought possible.

If you are concerned about caring for a person living with dementia, or if you're simply interested in brain aging and health, we've developed a list of resources and books to review. Click to read more...

In-home falls are often caused by hazards that are easy to fix. Unfortunately, easy doesn’t get done, and so these hazards are ignored and overlooked. Each year more than a third of adults over 65 experience a fall. Statistics collected by the CDC indicate that if you have one fall you are two to three times more likely to fall again. Falling is a slippery slope that could be easily avoided. To make matters worse, falls don’t just mean the minor pumps and bruises of youth. In seniors, falls ...